Opportunity Card
Chancenkarte, Sections 20a and 20b Residence Act
The Opportunity Card is a German residence permit for looking for work or for steps toward recognising a foreign qualification. You qualify either as a skilled worker with a fully recognised qualification, or through a points system that needs at least 6 points. It is first issued for up to 1 year, during which you may work part-time up to 20 hours a week on average and do trial work. If you find qualified work, you normally move to a work permit; a follow-on card is possible in limited cases.
Life in Germany
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
81
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
14–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 19%
Basic allowance EUR 12,348; 42% from EUR 69,879 and 45% above EUR 277,825 (single); solidarity surcharge of 5.5% of the tax for high earners and optional church tax.
Living
1
Happiness
#16 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
Non-EU nationals with a degree or at least 2 years of state-recognised vocational training who want to come to Germany to look for a qualified job.
Eligibility
Route 1: skilled workerSkilled worker route
You qualify without points if you hold a German qualification or a foreign degree or vocational qualification that is fully recognised or comparable in Germany.
Route 2: qualificationPoints route
You need a foreign degree, or vocational training of at least 2 years, that is state-recognised in the country where it was obtained, confirmed by ZAB. A qualification from a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad meeting German vocational training standards can also count.
Route 2: language minimumPoints route
You need at least basic German (A1) or English at B2.
- Accepted: German A1
- Accepted: English B2
Official wording
You need at least basic German (A1) or English at B2.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementRoute 2: at least 6 points
- Document checklistVisa application form (VIDEX or online portal)
- FeesNational (D) visa
The full requirements are for members
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- 5 more requirements
- 12 documents
- 4 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Germany
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- Residence Act Section 20a – Opportunity Card
- Residence Act Section 20b – points for the Opportunity Card
- Residence Act Annex – points table (minimum 6 points)
- Residence Act Section 2 – language level definitions
- German Embassy Wellington – Chancenkarte (page dated 13 April 2026)
- German Embassy Dhaka – Opportunity Card information (page dated 14 January 2026)
- Residence Ordinance Section 45 – residence permit fees
- Residence Ordinance Section 46 – visa fees
Other routes to Germany
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyVisa and residence permit for study
- FamilyResidence permit for spouses and registered partners
- Asylum & protectionAsylum in Germany
- CitizenshipEinbürgerung
- Work permitsEU Blue Card
Work permits in other countries
- DjiboutiWork authorisation (ANEFIP) with professional visa and residence card
- DenmarkPay Limit Scheme
- DominicaDominica Work Permit
- Dominican RepublicBusiness visa for work purposes (NM1) and work-based temporary residence
- AlgeriaWork visa with temporary work permit
- EstoniaTemporary residence permit for employment
